Ok, so the milkshake IPA thing is a thing. I’m pretty sure most Minnesota breweries, short of the largest, are producing the new slant on IPAs, and quite a few are doing them right. After my brush with the Bad Habit’s Blood Orange Milkshake IPA last week, I’m not completely surprised I’ve run across another great example of the up-and-coming style.

I’ve seen a lot of hype in the Beer People thread on Facebook and figured I’d take the chance when I could find it. I was a bit taken aback when I found it on tap at Old Chicago in St. Cloud. Omni Brewing, out of Maple Grove, MN, is usually found on the safer side of styles and interpretations (IPA, citra pale ales, coconut porters), so when I saw they were releasing their Raspberry Milkshake IPA, I knew I wanted to try it.

It comes very cloudy and not quite into the pink range for color, a little bit off white-ish particulates floating in the dark pink/orange murk. The aroma is instantly recognizable as raspberry and vanilla, very inviting. A little citrus of orange and grapefruit underneath. The first sip is a creamy, full mouth of raspberries. vanilla, and sweet lactose, just like a milkshake, all in balance. The vanilla and raspberry fade until you’re left with a very nice fruity IPA flavor. Medium bitterness with lingering fruit juices.

The fermentation is very clean and all elements are in there and complement each other. I like how the flavor profile changes form one beer another, that lasting impression is just simple, clean, full-bodied IPA. I do wonder what the base IPA is for this beer as I’d think it’d be pretty great on it’s own without the fruit and lactose – not that I’m complaining.

So, the hype surrounding this one is real – getcha some while you can (I’m not sure they’re selling in cans outside the taproom crowlers), and taste a beautiful beer. Or three like I did 😉 !